Compression stop



H. DE F. MADDEN COMPRESSION STOP May 19, 1925. 1,538,441

Filed June 2, 1921" ma HHARYD. MODE/v ATTORNEY tion without breaking or Patented May 191, 1925i UNITED STATES 1 1,538,441 PATENT 1 OFFICE;

HARRY DE FDREST MADDEN, OE NEW'AR-K, NEVJ JERSEY, .ASSEGNOR 'TO WESTING HOUSE LAMP COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF TcENNSiflfil'itNIA.v

- COMPRESSION STOI'.

1 Application filed June 2,

To 0: 10709121 if; mag canoe/w:

Be it known that I, ILXRRY DE FOREST j :N, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of l lewarlgin the county of Essex and State of ltewul ersey, vhave invented a new and useful Improvement in Compression Stops, of which the following s a speci lication. r i. V l This invention relates to devices adapted to interrupt the movement of givenobjects with cushioning efliect and particularly to devices employed to stop the movement of conveyors or carriers used for transporting fragile articles. Anion g the objects of the present invention the provision otmeans operatingto'resiliently cause retardation,and a subsequent cessation of movement, of a conveyor, thus avoiding the usualjar'and vibration cause; by impact with a stop of theiisualimmobility. l l I Another object of the invention is topro-' vide a stop which may be readily applied to a machine employing a carrier tortransporting delicate or brittle. articles. V

A further object of the invention is, to provide a stop comprising a simple and effective arrangement or" parts which will function to perfornitheir required operadisturbing the transported articles.

Although applicable for other uses, an

7 en'ibodiment oi? my invention is shown and glass parts oi? a lamp are usually assembled in a si'lpporting head during a period when the conveyor-is stationary, and the intermittent stoppage of the conveyor has heretofore been detriinental'to etiiecientproduction for the reason that'the impact between the stop and the conveyor resultedrin excessive jarring or shaking which tended to rupture and to dislodge the delicate work parts.

My invention will be best understood in anisinparts being broken away secured toihc frame of a machine and in operative relation to a rotary spider or conveyor; the

frame of the machine and the spider being shown in dotted linesto more clearly illustrate theoperative parts of the stop mechanism.

Fig. 2is a side elevation of the mechanism, part of which is shown in section. To accomplish the above recited and other objects, a cushioning means in provided which preferably includes a cylinder having a piston operating therein in opposition to a confined iiuidf The piston is associated with a member adapted to be positioned in the'path or", and to, be moved by, a traveling object during a portion of its movement, thus causing a compression of the i'luiddn the cylinder. By this means, the velocity of the moving object is gradually diminished, and

any vibration that may be caused by the impact between the stop member and the obect is avoided or transmitted to, and ab sorbed by, the iltllCl'Wltllll] the cylinder.

It is thus obvious that, by the above means,

the movement of an object may be resiliently or yieldablyopposedand terminated; As the piston is moved inwardly, the fluid within" the cylinder iscoinpressed, and a suitable.

needle valve is provided to permit the rcstricted outlet of the Fluid, thus relieving the compression as the object comes to rest. Ydhen an object has been stopped, its release for further, movement isettected by means of a treadle which may be manually actuated, and, in addition, the operation of the treadle permits a fluid from a pressure line to be fed into the cylinder to drive'the piston to its forward position and to move certain operative parts of the device to their normal positions. An actuation of the treadle performs the double function of operating a valve which controls the pressure line and simultaneously removes a stop memberfrom the path of an object. 7

Referring to the drawing, my improved stopinechanism, as shown, is employed to stopand release anarticle conveyor 2. Preferably, the contacting part of the stop means consists'ot a stop arm 3 provided with a lug positioned in the path of movement lit) before the conveyor has been stopped by the lug i and also the position of a conveyor arm when stopped by the lug.

The stop arm 23 is adapted to be oscillated between a projection secured to frame 8 oi the machine and a cylindrical stop memher 9 which is provided with an elastic or resilient covering 11 of any suitable material. The member 9 is preferably carried on an extension 12 termed integral with the projection Y. The arm 3 provided with a hub 18 which is secured to, and supported by, the upper end of a vertical shaft ll which is adapted to reciprocate vertically in a sleeve 15 lastened in the frame 8 of the machine. The shaft is normally held in an upper position by means of a spring 16 disposed between hub 13 ot the arm 3 and the upper end oi the sleeve 15. When the shalt is in its normal upper position, -he lug on the arm 3 is maintained in the path of the conveyor arms 5'.

When an arm of the conveyor has engaged the lug l and has rocked the stop arm 3 to repel the movement of the conveyor, means are provided to remove the arm from the path oi the conveyor. Such means are prei erably actuated by a treadle 1'7, one end of which is shown pivotally connected to the lower end of the shaft l i. When the treadle is depressed, the SLOP arm 3 and the lug i will be lowered and the conveyor permitted to rotate until a release of the treadle permits the spring 16 to effect an upward movement of the shaft is; to move the arm and the lug 4- so that the lug is positioned in the path oi the succeeding arm of the conveyor.

The present invention contemplates a means for yieldably opposing the movement oi the arm to overcome the inertia ol the conveyor and to bring the conveyor to rest quickly and without jar. A. preferred means 'iOl resisting the movement imparted to the arm is shown as comprising a cylinder 18 secured to the frame 8 by means of bolts 19 and having a piston 20 with the exposed end thereof provided with a lug 22 pivotally attached to one e d of a link 23 by means of a pin The tree end of the link 23 is provided with an aperture to receive a vertical pin carried by one end of a crank 26 which, in turn, is rigidly attached to. and oscillated by shalt 14-. A movement oi the piston to bring the stop to its normal op erating position therefore causes, by means (it the comiectinc' linl: 23, an oscillation o't Q 1 sl'iatt Ll and a consequent movement oi the stop arm 3 to its outer position.

it will he understood that, sincelhe pin the is adapted to be moved vertically in the aperture in the linlr 223, the treadle 17 may be operated to move the shaft it downwardly, and, upon such movement, the arm and the lug take the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, while the crank 26 and the pin take the positions shown in dotted lines in the same figure. By means of the adjustable or what may be termed a slidable connection between the said cranl: and linlt, a relatively movable couplin is provided and an operative connection between the piston and the shait H- is always maintained, irrespective of the position ot the shaft.

Any suitable means may be employed to provide a resisting medium operating in opposition to the movement of the piston, and, when employing a fluid, it may he conducted by means of a pipe 31 from constantpressure line to one end of a manifold or cylindrical chamber 32 horizontally disposed within a casing secured to the 'lrame 5% by means of a tap bolt Connection between the chamber 32 and the cylinder is provided by duct consisting of a pipe 35, connected to the opposite end oi? the chamber and connected to a pipe 36 by means of a flexible tube 37. The pipe 36 is screwed into a T 38 which, in turn, is connected to the head of the cylinder 18. A means is thus provided tor the passage of a lluid 'l rom the pressure line to the cylinder. Any suitable form of check valve may be ci'i'iployed to prevent fluid from being forced back into the line when under compression within the cylinder through the action of the piston, one such checking means being; indicated by the spherical member 3.) which seats within T to close the duct when the fluid in the cylinder is under pressure or the piston; the ball l'ieing automatically lifted when it desired to admit tluid to the cylinder from the pressure line. The admission oli fluid from the pressure line provides a. positive means of moving the piston and, conse ouently, the other operative parts connected therewith to normal positions.

in the operatitm oi' the device, when one (it the conveyor arms (amines the lug; -i, the arm 5) is moved toward the projection T and the IHOVOHIODl of this arm isopposed by virtue o'i' its connection to the coi'nprcssion member through the intermediate apparatus consisting of arm 53, crank '26. link 23 and piston 20; therefore, when the arm is moved, the forces are transmitted to the compression member and are opposed by the force required to compress the fluid. it suitable valve do is provided to permit a restricted outlet to the atmosphere of the tiuid as it compressed by the piston, and the cylinde' is thus relieved of con'i ircssion to prevent any l ich throw of the. conveyor when the arm 3 oi? the stop has been moved into contact with the projection 7.

I a i v 1 lhe piston and operative parts associated therewith may be returned to their normal positions means of the treadle 17 which actnates operative parts of the device to move the arm 3 transversely to its oscillatory path of movement, A movement of the treadle alsoreciprocates the shaft 1 which is'constructed to perform the function of a slide valve and is positioned with its axial line intersecting, at rightangles, the axial line of the cylindrical chamber 32. The shaft '14: is sufliciently larger in diameter than the cylindrical chamber and serves,

when in its upper position, to separate the chamber 32 into two sections and cut off passage of fluid. In iorderto permit the flow of the fluid to the cylinder 18 when the shaft is in itslower position, an annular groove 41 is provided upon the shaft and so positioned that, when the treadle 'is depressedand the shaft'is lowered, the groove 41 aligns with the chamber32 and permits the passage, of fluid fromfthe pressure'line. to the cylinder 18 to returnthe piston to its normal position. p r V When the stop mechanism is used toprovide means for intermittently stopping a conveyor and has operated to bring tl'ieIconveyor to rest, the arm 3 andthe lug 1 take the positions shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. The operator then depresses the treadle, and the shaft let moves downwardly and carries the stop arm 3 and the lug altothe position shown in dotted'lines in Fig. 2, the conveyor being then free to continue its movement. As the treadle is lowered, however, the fluid from the pressure line'enters the cylinder and causes the piston to move outwardy to bring the stop arm 3 in contact with the cylindrical stop member-'9. "The treadle is then released and'the' shaft" 14: moves upwardly under the act on. of the spring 16, the lug l' eing again positioned in thepath of the conveyor armsto interrept'the movement of the conveyor.

While I: have. illustrated apreferred embodiment of my device it is obvious that man}: stri'ictural changesfmay "be effected therein and it isto be, understood that such modifications are to be considered as being within the scope of the appended claims.

lVhat is'claimed is: i j I 1. Inainachine, the con'lbination of a carrier for transporting fragile articles such as incandescent electric lamps or the like, a stop comprising a compression-member associated with said'carrier, said member being movable transverselyto and adapted to be positioned in thepath of said carrier and means for removii'ig said member from the path of said carrierj v 2. In a machine, the combination ofa carrier for transportingfragile articles such incandescnt electric lamps orthe like, a stop comprising a compression member and a movable-member slidably connected thercto, said movable-member being movable Vertically and adapted to be positioned in the path of said carrier and means for removing said last mentioned member from the path of said carrier.

3. In a machine, the combination of a carrier for moving fragile article such as incandescent electric lamps or the like, a stop comprising a compression member, an oscillatory arm associated with said member, means for positioning; said arm inthe path of movement of said carrier and means for moving said arm vertically from said path. v

' 1. A stop comprising a cylinder, a piston operating within said cylinder, an arm associated with said piston and adapted to be moved vertically to and from the path or a moving object and means for removing; said arm from said path.

5. A- stop comprising a compression element, an oscillatory arm slidably associated therewith, said arm being adapted to be positioned inthe path of a movingobject, and means for removing said arm from said path. i

6. A stop comprising a cylinder, a piston within said cylinder, an arm slidably associated with said piston and adapted to be positioned in the path of a moving obje t and means for removingsaid arm from said path. I

A stop comprising a cylinder, a piston within said cylinder, an oscillatory arm associated with said piston and adapted to be positioned in the path of a moving object llil andmeans for removing said arm from the plane of movement of said obiect.

8; A stop comprising a cylinder, a piston within said cylinder, an oscillatory arm slidably associated with said piston and adapted to be positioned in the path of a moving object and means for removing" said 7 object and capable of movement with said object for a given distance and means for moving," said arm from object; I

11. A stop comprising a yieldable member, an o :illatory arm slidably connected there the path of said to, means for moving said arm transversely to its oscillatory path of movement, a connection between said arm and said member and means for maintaining said connection operable during a diversity oi positions of said arm and said member.

12. A stop comprising a cylinder containing a fluid, a piston capable of compressing said fluid, an arm connected to said piston and adapted to be positioned in the path of a moving object, whereby impact between said o-bjec and said arm causes a compression of said fluid and a gradual termination of the movement of sad object and means For moving said arm downwardly and from the path of movement ot said object.

13. A stop comprising a cylinder containing a fluid, a piston capable of compressing said fluid, an oscillatory arm connected to said piston and adapted to be positioned in the path of a moving object, whereby impact between said object. and said arm causes a compression of said. fluid. and a gradual termination of the movement of said object and means for moving said arm vertically from the path of movement of said object.

14-. A stop comprising a cylinder containing a fluid, a piston capable compressing said fluid, an oscillatory arm slidably associated with said piston a: d adapted to be positioned in the path of a moving object, whereby impact between said object and said arln causes a compression of said fluid and a gradual termination of the movementot' iid object.

A stop comprising a. cylinder. a piston within said cylinder, an oscillatory arm slidably associated with said piston and disposed in the path of a. moving object, said arm being capable of moving with said ohj'cct tor a predetermined distance, and means tor removing said arm from said path.

16. A stop comprising a cylinder contain ing a fluid, a piston capable ot compressing said fluid, an oscillatory arm slidably associated with said piston and normall v' disposed in a given position in the path ot a moving object. whereby engagement between said object and said arm causes a compresion of said fluid.

17. A stop con'iprising a cylinder having a fluid therein and a piston adapted to CODL press said fluid, an oscillatory arm slidably associated with said piston and positioned normally in a given position in the path of a moving object, said arm being adapted to engage said object and move therewith tor a predetern'iined distance and means for removing said arm from id path.

18. A stop comprising a cylinder containing a fluid, a piston capable of compressing said fluid, an oscillatory arm slidably associated with said piston and normally disposed in a given position in the path of a moving object, whereby a movement of an object causes a movement ot said arm and compression of said fluid, and means tor returning said arm to its initial position.

19. A stop comprising a cylinder containing a fluid and piston, an oscillatory arm adapted to be positioned in the path of a moving object and capable of n'iovement with said objecttor a given distance, means tor removing said arm from the path of said object and means for admitting a fluid to said cylinder, whereby said arm is returned to its initial position.

20. A sto comprising a cylinder, a piston within said cylinder, a pivoted arm, link connection between said arm and said piston, means for normally positioning said arm in the path of a moving object, said arm being capable of movement with said object for a given distance, means for removing said arm from said path and means for returning said arm to its normal position.

21. In a machine having a rotary conveyor, the combination of a compression member, an arm slidably associated with said member and adapted to be positioned in the path of said conveyor and means for removing said arm from the path of said conveyor.

22. In a machine, the combination of a rotary body for carrying fragile articles and a stop for gradually arresting the movement of said body, said step comprising an arm capable of movement into and out of the path of said body, a compressible means operated by the movement of said arm, and a slidable connection between said arm and said compressible means.

23. In a machine comprising a. conveyor adapted to carry work supports, the combination of a cylinder having a fluid and a piston therein, and an arm positioned normally in the path ot the conveyor. said arm being associated with said piston whereby vibration due to the impact between the arm and conveyor may be absorbed by com pres.- in; said fluid and means tor moving said arm vertiially from the path of movement ot said conveyor.

24. In a machine having a rotary eonveyor, the combination of a cylinder having a fluid and a piston therein, and a. pivoted arm positioned normally in the path or said conveyor, said arm being associated with said piston whereby the impact between the conveyor and said arm acts to move the piston and compress the fluid to gradually retard and terminate the movement of said conveyor and means tor moving said arm in a direction substantially transverse to the path of movement of said conveyor.

25. A stop comprising a yieldable member, a vertical shaft disposed adjacent to said member, an arm secured to one end of said shaft, a crank on the opposite end of said shaft, :1 link connection between said crank and said member and a means for moving said arm in the path of a moving object to permit contact between said arm and object, thereby causing said member to yield and gradually terminate the movement of said object.

96. A stop comprising a vyield-able mem-. her, a vertical shaft disposed adjacent to said member, a crank secured to one end of said shaft, a link connection between said crank and said member, an arm secured to the opposite end of said shaft, means for moving said arm in the path of a moving object whereby contact between the said arm and said object causes the arm to move with the object and said member to yield until sutliclent resistance 1s offered to terminate the movement ot the ob ect.

27. A stop comprising a yieldable memher having a cylinder and a piston, a vertical shaft disposed adjacent to said member, a crank secured to one end of said shaft. a link connection between said crank and said member, an arm secured to the opposite end of said sha't't, means for moving said arm in the path of a moving object whereby contact between the said arm and said object causes the arm to move with the object and said member to yield until suflicient resistance is offered to terminate the movement of the object, and means for moving said arm from the path of the object and simultaneously cause fluid to enter the'eylinder to torce the piston to a normal position, thus actuating the connected mechanism to return the arm to a normal position. i

28. A stop comprising a yieldable memher having a cylinder anda piston, a vertical shatt disposed adjacent to said member, a crank secured to one end-0t said shaft, a

link connection between said crank and said meniiber, an arm secured to the opposite end of said shait't, means for moving said arm in the path of a moving object whereby contact between the said arm and said object causes the arm to move with the object and said member to yield until su'liicient resistance is OlliGlQCl to terminate the movement of the object, means for moving said arm from the path or the object and to simultaneously cause fluid to enter the cylinder to drive the piston to a normal position, thus actuating the connected mechanism to return the arm to a normal position and means for removing saidarm from the path of said object. I

29. A stop comprising a yieldable element, an oscillatory member slidably connected thereto and adapted-to be positioned in the path of a movable object, means for moving said member transversely to its oscillatory path of movement whereby said member is moved from the path of said object.

30. A stop comprising a yieldable element, an oscillatory member, a slidable connection between said element and said member, said member being adapted to be normally positioned in the path of a moving object, means for moving said member transversely to its oscillatory path of movement, whereby said memberis moved fronr the path of said object, and means for returning said memher to a normal position. 7 I

31. A stop comprising a yield-able mem her, a vertical shaft disposed adjacent to said member, an arm secured to one end of said shaft and normally disposed in the path of a moving object,'a crank positioned on the opposite end of said shaft, means for moving said crank transversely to its oscillatory path, a slidable connection between said crank and said yield-able member whereby said connect-ion may be maintained irrespective of the relative positions of said crank and said member and means for moving said arm from the path of said object.

HARRY DE FOREST MADDEN. 

